The wait for the Hero from the Dragon Quest series is almost over, as Masahiro Sakurai has revealed that he will be available to download and purchase in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as of today in most regions.
Sakurai hosted an off the cuff livestream in order to promote the impending release of Hero, rather than the scripted ones that are usually held for new Super Smash Bros. characters. In the livestream, Sakurai discussed the design differences between each version of Hero (such as Eight carrying Munchie the mouse in his pocket) and listed all of the voice actors who would be appearing in the game. The Luminary from Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition is the only version of Hero who has ever had a voice actor, as it's traditionally only been the English localizations that featured voice acting.
Hero's animations were pointed out as being incredibly energetic, to match the style of Akira Toriyama (the creator of Dragon Ball), who designed all of the characters. The capabilities of Hero were also outlined. The Hero can randomly perform critical hits, which will almost certainly annoy a lot of people in the competitive Super Smash Bros. Ultimate scene. It's possible for Hero to charge his neutral special (the Frizz line of fireball spells) and use it for later. The same is also true for his side special (the Zap spells) and his recovery move (the Woosh spells). The most important aspect of the Woosh spells is that they use MP, which means that the Hero could potentially leave themselves without enough mana to recover.
Hero's down special brings up a list of special attacks, which are tied to an ever-recovering MP pool. Hero's spells include Oomph (increases his strength), Psyche Up (increases the strength of next connecting hit), Bounce (reflects projectiles), Heal (recovers damage), Flame Slash (increases AOE of attack), KaCrackle Slash (freezes opponent), Acceleratle (increases Hero's speed), Kaboom (a damaging spell with a huge AOE), Snooze (a ranged spell that knocks enemies out), Thwack (has a chance of instantly KO'ing opponent), Zoom (a powerful recovery move), Kaclang (makes the Hero temporarily invulnerable), Metal Slash (instantly KO's metal opponents), Hocus Pocus (has a random effect), Magic Burst (a powerful spell that drains his MP to zero), and Kamikazee (KO yourself as part of a powerful attack).
The Dragon Quest stage that will be added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is Yggdrasil's Altar from Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition. The Altar acts as a floating platform that shows the world map of the game. It's possible for chests bearing items to appear, as well as for some of these chests to become Mimics which attack the player. There will be eight songs from the Dragon Quest series added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which will be two from each of the Hero's games.
There will also be Dragon Quest Mii costumes to purchase, including Veronica from Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition, the original Erdrick from Dragon Quest, the male and female versions of the Martial Artist job from throughout the series, and a jiggling Slime Hat.
Hero will be available in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate today in most regions and July 31 everywhere else. Those who purchased the Fighters Pass can download him free, while everyone else can purchase him for $5.99.